It's thought the Argentina international will cost Manchester United at least £50m - however there are reports that it will be closer to £60m and others that suggest Real Madrid could demand as much as £75m. Manchester United's desperation for new players hasn't gone unnoticed in the Spanish capital. The current British record transfer fee stands at £50m, paid by Chelsea for Fernando Torres.

Manchester United have been desperate to bring in new recruits this summer - and even more so after their opening day defeat at Old Trafford against Swansea. New manager Louis van Gaal has even said in the build-up to United's match against Sunderland that the Red Devils need "a miracle" if they are to win the Premier League title this season.

The transfer of Di Maria might not be a miracle, but it could go some way to improving a very average looking side.

The 26-year-old has been a consistent performer for Real Madrid since joining from Benfica four years ago for £20m. He was named man-of-the-match in last year's Champions League final and was a part of the Argentina squad that reached the World Cup final, although he missed the last two matches of their run because of injury.

United are understood to be in talks over the move and that Di Maria was absent from a Real Madrid open training session this morning only appears to have cemented the likelihood of the transfer.